Bicyclist killed in Spring Garden collision was working as courier

Philadelphia Police investigate the scene at 10th and Spring Garden St in Phila., Pa. where a SUV vs bicylist accident occured during the evening hours of May 12, 2018.

ELIZABETH ROBERTSON / Staff Photographer

The 34-year-old bicyclist who died Saturday night after being struck by an SUV on Spring Garden Street was a courier working for a food delivery service at the time of the crash.

Pablo Avendano had spent Saturday afternoon in Center City, helping run a cycling event, before he left to make deliveries for Caviar, a food delivery app, said Stacy Grimes, operating partner of Sparrow Cycling, a courier service where Avendano also worked part time.

In a statement, a Caviar representative said the company was "deeply saddened by this news."

"This is a horrible tragedy and our thoughts are with Pablo's family," the representative said.

Police said Avendano, of Point Breeze, was struck while riding eastbound in the bike lane of Spring Garden Street about 7:40 p.m. Saturday. A 2011 Mitsubishi Endeavor, also traveling eastbound, struck Avendano on the north edge of the bike lane while crossing the intersection of 10th and Spring Garden Streets, authorities said. Avendano was knocked off his bicycle and then run over by the SUV, according to police.

Police did not identify the driver or say whether she would be charged. They did say she stayed at the scene after the collision.

Avendano posted a story on Instagram on Saturday afternoon outside Sparrow Cycling's headquarters at 22nd and Sansom Streets, where he was helping run a checkpoint for the "Maypril Fools Fun Ride," a scavenger hunt-style event.

On Sunday afternoon, the company posted an Instagram story saying: "Pablo forever. Rest in power. We miss you so much." It also described him as "an activist, a great rider, and a true friend to all of Sparrow, the messenger community, and Philly as a whole."

"He was instantly friends with everyone he meant [sic]," the company said on Instagram. "He'd talk to you like you were the only person that mattered in that moment and was truly a special, special person."